November 1999

Norma Winstone/John Taylor
Like Song, Like Weather
E1 Music

By Nate Guidry

Like Song, Like Weather shows that British-born Winstone has all the stuff all great jazz vocalists need: timing, intonation, dynamics and richly expressive voice. And it doesn't hurt that pianist/arranger John Taylor, who was a paragon of dependability throughout, chose material which provides excellent insight into Winstone's expansive lyricism.

From "Lazy Afternoon" to "Strange Meadowlark" the recording's 10 compositions are wonderful vehicles for Winstone. She puts tremendous care into Duke Ellington's "Come Sunday" and she delivers Kenny Wheeler's "Everybody's Song but My Own" with a mature, well-defined jazz artistry.